As 1,879 noisy fans looked on in a packed McDonough Arena, the Georgetown women’s basketball team (14-11 overall, 5-9 Big East) meekly handed No. 1 Connecticut its 65th straight win last night, 97-57. Though junior forward Rebekkah Brunson led all scorers with 20 points, the Hoyas lost their second consecutive game by 40 points or more.
The loss put a damper on Senior Night, honoring the team’s five seniors—center Suzy Bendegue, guard Shawntese Charles, forward Zsuzsanna Horvath, guard Joi Irby and forward Santia Jackson. All four available seniors started in their final home game while Irby recuperated from an injured ACL.
The Huskies began the game on a tear, spurred on by a strong Connecticut fan presence, with All-American and Player of the Year candidate junior forward Diana Taurasi scorching the Hoyas for eight points within the first three minutes. On the other end, Georgetown began the game shooting one of nine. The cold spell ended with senior forward Nok Duany’s long jumper to bring the Hoyas within five at 12-7.
The Hoyas would never get any closer as Connecticut went on a 15-0 run to give themselves a comfortable 20-point margin. The Huskies used solid defense to fuel the run. Sophomore forward Ashley Battle had five steals and eight points during the Husky’s run.
“Ashley was smart enough to realize they were making some careless passes,” said Connecticut Head Coach Geno Auriemma. “She’s quick enough to get into the passing lanes.”
After the Hoyas were held scoreless for five minutes during the Huskies’ run, sophomore guard Sarah Jenkins ended Connecticut’s scoring spurt with a long jumper with 7:49 left in the half. Following Connecticut’s surge, the Hoyas found their rhythm and brought some balance to the game before halftime. Before Jenkins’ basket, the Hoyas were shooting 21 percent for the half. They finished the period shooting 37 percent, including hitting six of their last eight shots. The Huskies, however, shot a blistering 64 percent for the half, including 20 points in the paint to Georgetown’s four on their way to a 42-25 halftime lead.
“We’ve got to be able to throw the ball from the point to the wing,” said Georgetown Head Coach Pat Knapp.
The second half brought the same as the end of the first half. For the first eight minutes, the game was very balanced as the teams traded baskets. Connecticut opened up the half hitting seven of their first 10 shots. Georgetown was up to the task, knocking down seven of their first 13 field goals. With 11:52 left in the half, the Hoyas, who had kept the game seemingly close at 61-40, lost their touch.
Following their hot start to the second half, the Hoyas faded fast. After hitting on nine of their first 17 shots, Georgetown hit only four of their last 17 shots. The Huskies, meanwhile, showed no signs of letting up. After their first-half shooting display, Connecticut shot an astounding 72 percent in the second half on the way to the 97-57 win.
Taurasi had eight second-half points on 4- 4 shooting on her way to a team-high 17 for the game, in addition to five assists. Four Connecticut players scored in double figures including 17 from Battle, who also finished with seven steals. With the win, the Huskies won their 10th straight Big East regular-season title.
For the Hoyas, it was a second straight forty-point loss. With the season’s close drawing near, the two losses couldn’t come at a worse time for a team struggling to make the postseason.
“We still got to keep playing,” said Jenkins. “It’s part of the game. Sometimes you lose by two, sometimes you lose by thirty. But, we want to play in the postseason and we’re going to keep playing.”
For the team’s departing seniors, their final home game was surely a disappointing one.
“I’m particularly happy with the effort of Zsuzsanna, Shawntese and Santia. To start in a game like this, against the No. 1 team in the country, takes a lot of courage,” said Knapp. “It’s a tough way to go out.”
The Hoyas will travel to St. John’s for its game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
